Germaphobes, Rejoice. Airplanes May Soon Have Self-Cleaning Bathrooms

Just when the state of airplane comforts was looking pretty dismal, comes a major victory for frequent-fliers and germaphobes alike. On Thursday, the juggernaut planemaker Boeing announced the introduction of self-cleaning toilets, an innovation that makes the issue of extra legroom seem like small potatoes in comparison.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Boeing's prototype lavatory prevents the restroom from becoming a petri dish of germs by using "far ultraviolet light" to kill 99.99 percent of pathogens. This isn't the same UV light that causes skin cancer, so passengers needn't worry that they're stepping into a tanning bed. The sanitizing UV light minimizes the growth of harmful microorganisms and slows the spread of infectious diseases. The best part? It even eliminates odors.

The UV lights get to work once the lavatory is unoccupied, even lifting and closing the seat by itself to cover all surfaces. The entire cleaning cycle takes less than three seconds.

The prototype also includes touchless features, like hands-free faucets and soap dispensers, as well as a hand dryer, to keep the restroom as hygienic as possible. A hands-free door latch and vacuum-vent system for the floor is also in the works.

The technology is still in the testing phase, according to Boeing, which has applied for patent on the concept. Check out the video below for a peek at the prototype, and perhaps keep that sanitizer handy in the meantime.